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T II E 

IIIassachusetts ^jgislature 

OF 1873. 



KESOLUTIONS OFFERED, AND REMARKS TIIEREOX, 

BY 



GEOEGE A. MARDEN, 

« I 

AT THE CLOSE OF THE SESSION, ON AVEDNESDAY, 
JUNE llTH, 1873. 



PUBLISHED BY REQXJE&T. 



LOWELL, MASS.: 

PRINTED AT THE DAILY COURIER OFFICE. 

1873. 







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crH 



THE LEGISLATDKE OF 1873. 



Oil the al'ternoou of the hist day of the session but one, 
Wednesday, June 11, after resohitious complimentary to 
the Speaker, Clerk, and Sergeant-at-arms had been passed, 
and speeches had l)een made in eulogy of them, the House 
took a recess of three-quarters of an hour. Mr. Crocker 
of Boston was then called to the Chair, and Mr. Mardeu of 
Lowell, remarking that in this hour of general eulogy the 
Legislature of '7:] seemed likely to be forgotten, asked 
leave to introduce the following Preamble and Resolutions, 
which were read by the Clerk. 



Preamble and Iiesi>liiti<>ii< in fcrjnrd to the Lf;/islatnri' of ^f(l.'<s^a<^hn- 
seftK. for Eij/htcen Hundred owl Sereiity-three. 

Whkreas this Legislative body 

Of Eighteen Hundred Seventy-three 
I 
Has often been set down as one 

">'o better than it ought to be;" 

WUEREAS the critics oft have censured 
The work we've tried our best to do, 

And in their strieiures liave included 
Our motives and our wisdom, too; 



The Legislature of 1873. 



Whereas we've been accused of adding 
Some grievous burdens to the taxes. 

By in a reclvless manner giving 
To every claimant what he "axes ;" 

Wherkas, because we don't adjourn, 
All sorts of jokes about are flitting, 

And we are very plainly told 
That our besetting sin is sitting; 

Whereas we liave been criticised 
In nearly all we've done official— 

Our "general " acts especially, 
And gen'rally acts that are "special;" 

Therefore, Hesolved, this Legislature, 
Of Eighteen Hundred Seventy -tliree, 

Is just about as good a body 
As our constituents often see. . 

Resolved, that in the strictest sense 
Ot Duty we have tried to labor, 

Considering each the State's good first. 
And treating like himself his neighbor. 

Though liberal, we've prudent been, 
Though talkative, without verbosity ; 

And prompt to act, while guarding still 
Against a dangerous velocity. 

Resolved, that as we now must part, 
The session's troubles we will banish. 

And in its milder mem'ries shall 
It's harsher recollections vanish. 

Resolved, that as the years go by. 
Till we shall pay tlie debt of Nature. 

We will not blush for '?3, 
When we were in tlie Legislature. 



The Legislatuke of 1873. 



The House tbeu unanimously voted that leave be given 
to introduce the resolutions, when Mr. Harden spoke as 
follows : 

Mr. Speaker : 

No doubt when we came here, five montlis ago, 

'T was witli good resoUitions wliat we'd do. 

And if beginning well shall often tend * 

To bring us safely to a prospei'ous end. 

So ending well what we have well begun. 

Makes more complete the business we have done. 

And so I liope the House will vote en masse 

That tliese good resolutions ought to pass. 

For 't is a truth 't were well to recollect. 

The world respects him wlio hath relf-respect ; 

And tliough our critics all may growl and carp, 

And correspondents write their notes so sharp, 

And dip tlieir pens in a revengeful gall, 

''■Fiat jnstitia, though the Heavens fall!" 

That was our motto when we went to work 
And chose the gallant Colonel* for our Clerk — 
An act no member ever will regret, 
At any rate no member's done so yet. 
For tliough some clerks may write a sharper letter, 
No one has ever tilled the office better. 
Chai'les was not modelled on the proverb plan. 
That takes "nine Taylors" for a single man, 
But in liis make-up, rather, there combine 
Virtues enough in one to furnish nine. 
Happy the members who shall come up here 
And help elect him for an'other year ! 

*Col.Chas. H. Taylor. 



TiiK Legislature of 1873. 



Another job which we thiuk pretty fair 

AVas iu the way we liUed tlie Spealver's eliair. 

The vote for Sauford certainlj' was llatteriug; 

The ouly other candidate was "Scattering." 

And were the worlv today to be re-done, 

Not even " vScattering" wonld dare to ran. 

For all concede that Sauford's tilled the place 

With an abundant dignity and grace. 

To Senator Wilson's seat we didn't choose liini 

Only becanse we didn't want to lose him. 

Urbane, yet tirni, with promptness in decision, 

Which very seldom needs the least revision. 

The knottiest tangle he will quick iniravel, 

Snl^due the cheekiest member with his gavel. 

The House for smoothness with which business goes 

Much praise to his '-presiding genius" owes, 

And by and by, Avlien the fit time shall come. 

He'll send his "message" from a neighboring room. 

Of course John Morrisey was re-elected — 
That is a thing that's generally expected. 
The Major always knows wiiat he's about ; 
No light fleld-battery can shell him out. 
The sharpest shots will always fail to strike him, 
Because he has a way to make folks like him. 
The winning smile upon his rosy face 
Adds to the charm of his unequalled grace ; 
As long as he keeps them he'll keep his ])lace. 

The Chaplain, too, has pi'oved a model man ; 
He prays as brief as anybod}^ can. 
But in his terse and eloquent petitions 
Leaves no impression that he's made omissions. 
He does not do as some do in that place — 



The Legislature of 1873. 



Address the members and the Throne of Grace, 
But, as he leads us earnestly uji there, 
Omits the preaching while he makes his pra3-er. 
Asivs from on high the wisdom tliat we lack, 
Nor seeks, himself, to put us ou the track. 
A "model chaplain," as I said before ; 
And saying this, I do uot need Sey-nnmr. 

Now pardon me, pray, while I briefly allude 

To some men on this floor, and I'll try not be rude. 

I can't name them all, for I haven't the time, 

And a good mauj- of them have names that won't rhyme. 

But the,y all help to make up the recoi'd at last. 

To vindicate which these Resolves should be passed. 

But remember Avhile each one my playful muse rallies. 

She "extenuates" much, but "sets naught down in malice." 

And should she not give all due justice she mentions, 

It's the fault of her judgment and not her intentions. 

J. H. Abbott of Maiden comes first ou the list, 

"Whose presence for several weeks past we have missed. 

'Tis said at the session held "extra," last fall, 

That he railed at insurance so much iu this hall. 

That while he possessed the most fluent of tongues. 

It wasn't backed up by a strong pair of lungs ; 

So he's had to give up all his work for a time. 

And seek renewed health iu a sunnier clime. 

He's a jolly good fellow, whatever they say, 

And we're all very sorry to have liim away ; 

Aud as for insurance we pardon his ire, 

We can't blaiije a burnt child for dreading the fire. 



The Legislature of 1873. 



There is Alien of Lyim, he is one of the two 
Elected as "liberals" — aud that was two few. 
For for one who was anxious to help elect Greeley 
He's a much better fellow than you'd expect — reallj\ 
He don't bore Avith speeches, but all those who sit 
Near his place in the House will bear witness he's wit ; 
And the thickest of sophistry's always "too thin" 
To impose on the judgment of Allen of Lynn. 

Brother Bacon of Lawrence leads off on the B's, 
He's the man whose election aroused such a breeze. 
Some thought his opponent did really defeat him, 
But we liked him so well that we couldn't unseat him. 
He's a democrat, true, but he's not very hearty — 
Not so much on that side to be charged as "ex-party." 
On political questions he ti-avels incog., 
For Bacon, of course, would not "go the whole hog." 
But still I've no doubt he would "bristle up" quick. 
If he thought his opponents wei'e playing a trick. 
He's well balanced in mind, an original thinker, 
And in mending the laws no itinerant tinker, 
But is noted as much for the breadth of his view 
As his logical manner of putting it, too. 

There is Bailey of Charlestowu, so quick in debate, 

Whose retorts are so sharp, and are never too late ; 

Who questions opponents with similar ease 

To that of the famous old Greek, Socrates, 

But parries a question himself like a lancer, 

Unless, as is usual, he's ready to answer. 

And however rebuffed by the hardest of knocks, 

He quickly jumps up like a Jack-in-the-box. 

So well he has learned parliamentary law. 

That the Chair must look sharp or he shows it a flaw ; 



The Legislature of 1873. 



Aud in three terms of service, by diligeuce annual, 

lie is fully acquainted wHli all in the "Manual." 

And when pleadiny- shall fail, or a speech of didactics, 

He skilfully turns to the science of tactics ; 

Which I need not illustrate, because each will find 

Some recent examples so fresh in his mind. 

I am not liudiny fault with this proof of his art, 

I only am showing that Bailey is sn)art. 

For EardwcU of Deerlicld I've only a word — 
He's a member from whom very little is heard; 
But he never is known to sit on the fence. 
And when he docii talkrhe always talks sense. 

From Pittstield there comes one of whom it is said 
He's as sound in his heart as he's clear in his head ; 
Who never wastes words, or preaches, or howls. 
And though always a Barker's not given to growls. 
Aud who puts every i)oint in so honest a way 
That he makes us think he thinks just what he may say ; 
And however we might of his arguments doubt 
We are sure that he knows what he's talking about. 
And 't was owing to this, more than all that was said, 
That the Lee and New Haven fared well as it did. 

Until Geocge Bartholraesz never before 

Has a native born German had a seat on tliis floor. 

And we fear he never again will appear 

In a place where they say it is wrong to drink l)eer. 

Next Benton of Brookline is fcmnd in the B's, 
Who helps in defending the treasury keys. 
He's a vigilant man, but a liberal, too. 
And knows what is best, aud what not best to do. 



i -k 



10 The Legislature of 1873. 



And a popular mau, as we leai-aecl in debate, 

If the Brookliue anuexers are true when thej' state 

That he got his election in spite of vexation 

He always exhibits against annexation. 

But view tliis opinion in wliatever light 

Broolvline voters were Bent-ou achieving the riglit. 

The Crispins are ended, though one once a Kuiglit, 
Berge of Lynn, comes to see that labor's used riglit. 
But in spite of his crotchets, whicli time will soon mellow, 
Though Labor's his forte he's a Capital fellow. 

Two Bigelows stand on the roll of the House — 

The lirst, Edward L., is as still as a mouse. 

But the second at speaking is seldom so loth 

That he will not do quite enough talking for both. 

And John knows so well just what's made and what's lost on 

The annual trade of the '-Merchants of Boston," 

That it seems as if like as a pedlar his pack 

He carries the whole Board of Trade on his back, 

As well as protects, in his guardian i-ange. 

The Chamber of Commerce and Merchants Exchange. 

And when he once gets any project on foot 

He "sticks and he hangs like a dog to a root," 

And though on each stage you may cut off his head 

He is one of those chaps who will never stay dead. 

Still we like the bright fellow, and wish him all luck 

For his jolly good nature and wonderful pluck. 

The next B that from the great hive here emerges 
When christened he ought to've been called Boanerges. 
"Sanford Waters" and "Billings" compose his full name, 
Which seems quite enough for so slender a fi'ame ; 



The Legislature of 1873. H 



But wait till he speaks ami you'll find he is such 

That you wou't think his coguoineu any too much. 

And when on the egg-bill he played such a part 

And took opposition so plainly to heart, 

I heard it remarked by a shrewd-headed farmer, 

That he looked like a Bantam but crowed like a Brahma. 

But Billings, of all men, is never the one 

To take an otleuce at some good natured fun. 

He knows every member from centre to rim. 

And I'm sure it is true every member knows him. 

And hence we unanimously come to agree 

That if there's a square man 't is certainly he. 

Taunton sends us one Black, who is making his mark, 
As it might be expected in Black— he keeps dark. 

Captain Blaukinship comes from an old whaling town,* 
Which is l)lank-in-ships now, since the business went down. 
But still though slie sighs for the times that have been 
She has d large "lay" in some wlialing good men. 
Of the members who can talk but vow that they won't, 
There's the member from Haverhill, William E. Blunt. 
But he out-works us all, from town or from city. 
For he's Clerk of the judiciary committee. 
Dr. Bonney spoke once — on the " pharmacy bill," 
Which the House without mercy determined to kill. 
But I say (and I do it without any flattery), 
The Doctor shot well Avith his great mortar battery. 
But he found when with Bowker he hastened to wrestle 
There are some things you can't bray with mortar and pestle ; 
For Bowker to questions analysis brings. 
And carefully extracts the essinicc of things ; 
*New Bedford. 



12 The Legislature of 1873. 

Aud though you may think you have tripped up his feet, 
The next turn you find that he won't give up beat. 

Of Bi'adley of Rockport the view that I have is 
He ought to be eounted a real rrir<( avi:^, 
For I'm tohl tliat he stands in that strangest position 
Of a democrat voting for strict prohibition. 

Conspicuous 'mougst all the B's now, indeed, 
Belongs the benevolent Bowman B. Breed, 
He is one of the few who follow the way 
Of never to speak when they've nothing to say ; 
A Breed of law-makers of which were there more 
To sit in this House wouldn't be such a liore. 

Of the C's there is one who will tell you the trnth — 
The member from Chelsea who's name is Carriith, 
And I might say the same of Chapin, E. W., 
If to name all the honest men now wouldn't trouble you, 
But the fact is just what the Resolves you've heard say — 
There are nothing but honest men known in our day. 

I have worked on the name of Chisholm some time, 
And all the fault with it is that it won't rhyme. 
It's a very good name of a very good man. 
Who ou railroads believed the " majoi-ity " plan, 

» 

And showed, as he thought. Granger wildest of dreamers 
To believe that the Fitchburg could "dock those five 
stearaei's." 

Three Chirks the roll bears — all are good men aud true. 
Though they don't always take of the laws the same view — 
But then what three men in all creation do? 



The Legislature of 1873. 13 

If there is a man in the House that I pity, 

It is he at tlie head of the Railway Committee, 

For of all of the work that's been done on this floor, 

The Tunnel, of course, has been the great bore. 

Codman worked for two months by day and by uiglit 

To " consolidate " so as to not have a flght ; 

But I am sorry to say the result came to pass 

Like that in tlie fable of man, boy and ass : 

You remember whatever arrangement was made 

Somebody would cry for a dltt'erent trade. 

And so 't was in this case, consulting the many 

Resulted at last in not pleasing any ; 

But though the plan met with the fiercest assault, 

Nobody can say that the Colonel's in fault, 

For he made, in his speeches, the whole thing so candid 

It couldn't be said 't was at all underhanded. 

Who is this that comes next in position and name? 

A leader by talent as well as by fame? 

When he rises to speak with his eloquent grace, 

With his fore-finger raised, and a side-long turned face, 

With his hair and full l)eard falling down in grey masses. 

And a pair of blue eyes shining bright through his glasses, 

The House never fails to listen with care. 

For it knows that such orators always are rare. 

The treasures of culture are at his command. 

The storehouse of learning opes under his hand. 

And whether his rule be attack or defence, 

'T is sure to be founded on good common sense ; 

And of hini it is true, as the Roman once gave it, 

Namely — Qund nihil tetigit, quod non ornavil. 

I believe though 't is true that we all are of those 

Who sometimes have thought Cogswell trod on our toes. 



14 The Legislature of 1873. 

Yet 1 fancy as uow we look hauk on the past, 
We'll be just to the member from Yarmouth at last, 
And own that the path he so strictly has trod, 
Was governed by riyht, and not twisted by fraud. 

xind what shall I say of our Boston friend, Cook? 

So cheeky of action, and cheery of look ! 

There are times when he seems to have taken a notion 

To try and invent a perpetual "motion." 

How often we've heard that clear ringing note 

From his lips : "Mr. Speaker! Sir, I doubt that vote!" 

And though to admit we are not at all loth 

That too many Cooks might perhaps spoil our broth, 

I am sure that the House, for the sake of the fun. 

Would never be willing to part with this one. 

We gain very much by carefully heeding 

The hints of the Chairman of Bills in Third Reading, 

But I fear he will And he's increased his own woi-k 

By tempting coanuittees their labor to shirk, 

For they all draw their bills in this careless light — 

That if they are wrong Crocker "11 make them all right. 

But besides doing this in the manner I state, 

Our friend also shows a tine gift for debate. 

And many dark questions were lucky to find 

A ray of new light from his luminous mind. 

To Cummings of Woburu w^e owe many thanks 
That we know what we do about Banking and Banks. 
A shrewd business man, but one who has heart 
To help both the causes of Science and Art. 

There is Davis who comes from the seaside Cohasset, 
Who oflered the egg-bill and tried hard to pass it. 

There is Edwards, who gave us a fine reading, which I 
Have never heard equalled in " Barbax'ti Freitchie." 



The Legislature of 1873. 15 

And Ely, who hated so badly to fail 

To charter that Land Company at Springvale. 

Fall River scut Fairbanks — has sent him before, 

And next fall most likely will send him once more. 

Who, when on a favorite subject may get. 

He can just everlastingly talk now, you bet! 

But not to be tiresome ; never you fear. 

For he talks, when he talks, so that folks want to hear. 

But when on the railroad discussion, you know, 

He brandished that pointer both right and left so, 

That those on the front seat their heads had to duck 

Lest with Fairbauks's argument they would be struck. 

Chelsea sends two ex-mayors —viz : Fletcher and Fitz ; 
Both are lacking in hair, but not wisdom or wits ; 
And if Chelsea's no deader than they seem to be, 
She's as lively a city as you'd care to see. 

I am sure I don't need by a preface to herald 

The name of that prnix chevnliiT John Fitzgerald ; 

So stalwart of limb, so erect in his form. 

So magnetic a voice in its calm or its storm, 

Such a black piercing eye (and I mean it no raillery) 

That it has its eflect even up in the gal-leiy, 

So jaunty a mien, and so gallant an air. 

Such a wealtli of mustache and of raven black hair; 

Ah ! the maiden tliat this manly comeliness gets, 

May well boast the charms of the jovial Fitz. 

He's a democrat, though of a liberal stamp. 

Whom you can't always tiud in the democrats' camp. 

And on suffrage, and railroads, and such other themes. 

He lets party go, from his voting it seems. 

For Fitz in some i:)oints is most terribly human, . 



IG The Legislature of 1878. 

Ami couldn't deny auytliiug to a woman ; 

But stood out to the last at the railroad " love feast" — 

The only one there who'd not yield in the least. 

Tlicre is Thomas Fitzgerald, who is to a dot 
Whatever his neigli))or and namesalve is not, — 
Except that from Erin and Boston both come. 
And that both are good fellows, abroad or at liorae. 

There is Fletcher of Littleton, spite of whose crutch 
You can't find the rest get ahead of him much. 

And Gardner of Hancock leads oft" on the G's, 
Who couldn't get home in time to plant peas. 
Nor even in season to hoe or to stick 'em. 
And his gardening this year will be but to pick 'em. 

Tliere is Gilbert, the veteran, the member from Gloucester, 
Tlie oldest l)y rank on the General Court roster. 
The father 'f the House, who bears to the nation 
A sort of general " federal relation." 

'T was Goddard of Princeton whose course here commenced 

with 
To move that the " bill's further reading's dispensed with." 
But this duty one day was laid on the slielf 
By an order that it be dispensed with itself. 
Since which I believe tliat scarcely a word 
From the moutli of the member from Princeton's been 

heard. 

Brownell Granger of Boston showed wondrous abilities 
In creating at will the great "terminal facilities." 
And he brouglit tlie wliole Cunard line into "Ave docks, " 
Which he built in one night, without timber or rocks. 



The Legislatuke of 1873. 17 

And he showed, for a draughtsinan, so difficult 't is n't 
To blot out what is, or to create what is n't. 
But I'm sure I would rather be beaten by Granger 
Thau to win jlgainst nianj^ a less pluckj' ranger. 

Brother Hall of New Bedford has lost so much hair 
That he takes a bad cold when he sits in the air. 
And so on the bai'e spot on top of his head — 
(A spot rendered famous l>y old " Uncle Ned,") 
He places with care, so to cover the gap 
From the draught of the air, a handsome silk cap. 
I need not remind jou, because you all know it. 
That the handsome silk cap has a large brain below it. 

There is one man who cannot I)e fooled or be gammoned ; 

He comes from old Cambridge, his name it is Hammond. 

He never is flashy, or fretty, or flighty — 

As was said of the rooster — " He's small, but 0, mighty ! " 

And when in the area he takes up his staud. 

And hammei's his points in with uplifted hand, 

He makes them appear so distinctl.y and well, 

That in sense as in sound he's as clear as a bell. 

But while he has never been known to talk folly, 

It is easy to see he's uncommonly jollj^; 

And a humor behind what he says we espy 

That sparkles as does 'neath his glasses his eye. 

Our clerical friend, C. V. Hanson, comes next. 

Who over the liquor law" keeps us perplexed. 

And whose fluent remarks are made with such spirit 

That they alwaj's counnand the attention they merit. 

And those who drink beer (if he gives them no quarter) 

Must excuse in a Baptist such fondness for water. 



18 The Legislature of 1873. 



Our Shrewsljuiy inciiilier rcpoi-tcd the plaus 

To get for the farmers their " uniform caus ;" 

And I'm sure I record with the greatest of pleasure, 

That by worlv and by Avord lie has carried his •' measure." 

There is Hatch Avho was charged with i-eceiving a bribe — 
A charge whose malignity words can't describe. 

And Haydeu of Boston, who couldn't refrain 
From saying his say about Cuba and Spain. 

And Hayes No. 1, Avho on excellent grounds, 
Defends what is done by committee on towns — 
A work that might well the best lawyer perplex, 
To in one case divide, and another annex. 

And there's Hayes No. 2, who's our Croesus, you know. 

If you take all the stoi'ies about him that go. 

Who, they say, buys a railroad, with much less ado 

Than most men would make in buying a cow, 

And pays over millions in helping to buy 'em, 

As coolly as you and I spend our per diem. 

Our friend talks so fair for East, "West, North and South, 

You'd imagine that butter won't melt in his mouth. 

For he wants every section protected with care, 

And wouldn't have any one harmed by a hair — 

A doctrine that's catholic, generous, wise. 

And should not be met with a doubt or surprise. 

And to his common "sense and sound reason we owe 

That " consolidation " was got i-id of so. 

Brother Haynes up in Townsend, they've chosen a Dea- 
con — 
And he'll make for his people a bright, shining beacon, 



Tin: Legislature of 1873. 19 

For lie's learned, since he's been here, to cany sail straiglit, 
And returns to his home so))er, wise and sedate. 

There is Heath, the detective, so fond of a joke, 
And Ins namesake from Douglas who never has spoke; 

And Higgius, from Orleans, a man who is not 
In any fair sense to be called a bad Lot. 

And two Hills we possess, the first one called Amos, 
Who by Odd Fellows' buls has made himself famous ; 

The second, from Boston, who if he's away, 
The House can't proceed Aviththe "Orders of Day," 
Because no one else cmild move — as I view it — 
That the House should proceed any moment to do it. 

There is Holmes of Fall River, who stands in the ranks 
As a man who knows all that there is about banks ; 
Intelligent, honest, and able, and clear, 
A trustworth}' man, and a good financier. 

Northbridge sends us a clergyman — Howard by name, 
Who was sure that Charles Sumner was greatly to blame ; 
And I'm sorry to say not alone in this view, 
For the most of the House seemed to think just so too. 

Howes of Dennis — of what is the name a suggestion? 
Two lumdred men utter " The Previous Question ! " 
His initials I think, and I leave it to you, 
Should be changed by a law from "D. P." to "P. Q." 

There is Hoyt, too, who seems almost gifted with tongues, 
And you'd never suspect he was vexed with weak lungs ; 
For he talks in this Hall with such vehemence, faith all 



20 The Legislature of 1873. 



His people can hear what he says up in Athol. 

Though the Springfield Republican's after him sharp, 

And concerning his actions will cavil and carp, 

Yet Hoyt is a fellow whom no one dislikes. 

Except those who've reason to dread when he strikes. 

Deacon Hurlbnrt of Sudbury's thoroughly human — 
And he did "hurl butts" freely at ^iUflVage for woman: 
No uousensc' about him, and also there ain't 
Any lack of a humor as dry as 'tis quaint. 

The House has two I's — and joking aside 

There are times when she seems to be really cross-Ide. 

For the member from Medway will freciueutly glance 

At the things he objects to a little askance. 

He told us a tale you remember, one day, 

When he was upon suflrage indulging his say. 

That caused the suggestion, which was n't quite civil. 

For a parson he knew a good deal of the devil ; 

And that being a bachelor, 't was n't quite fair 

He should know about ' ' buttons " the ' ' angels " may wear. 

I'd an idea that Ide was a trifle ideal, 

But 'tis idle to say Ide '11 not take the real. 

For he did'nt vote cider out — not that he wouldn't. 

But because that he practically saw that he couldu't. 

From Abington Jenkins came, fighting the side 
That wanted his town in three parts to divide. 

There is Johnson of Lowell, who makes no pretense 
To anything more than a good Yankee sense. 
But the subject indeed must be much out of joint 
When Johnson don't make out a well-defined point. 



The Legislature of 1873. 21 



And theu tlioro's fi'om Boston ex-constiible Jones. 
Who says what he says in such clear manly tones, 
And who l)rings to debate upon criminal law ' 
As level a liead as ever you saw. — ■ ^ 

Judd of Lee showed himself by no means a craven — 
You know how he fought the for Lee & New Haven, 
And the blow he received through the Governor's veto 
He minded no more than he would a mosquito. 
" For a veto by vote can be beaten," said he, 
" One is v-e-t-o, 'tother v-o-t-e" 
But he found on the count that it is n't so strange 
That a veto should more than a single vote change. 

Keith of Abingtou came here the chief in command 

Of the anti-division-and-disunion l^and. 

And he brandished his pointer as though 't wei-e a sabre. 

And routed with slaughter each disunion neighbor. 

And not only they to his prowess did yield, 

But the whole town committee lay dead on the field. 

Though no lass to the grace of our membership adds. 

We've a couple exceedingly promising Ladds. 

One an old legislator, and often has been it 

His fortune to serve in the House or the Senate. 

He's an orator born, and can well plead a cause 

Tor repealing the old or for making new laws ; 

And when he went in with such eloquent will 

To make the House pass the " minority bill," 

We upon 'tother side gave him up all the honoi's 

And supposed for a time that we really were " goners." 

The other Ladd hammers his arguments in 
As though at his forge he were driving a pin, 



The Legislature of 1873. 



And he knows what some members on this floor do not- 
Naiuelj- — Alwaj's to strike when the iron is liot. 

If the State powers ever are made railroad Iceepers, 

They will flud in this House a good stock of sleepers. 

And one I would name is from Haverhill — well 

I only will say it begins with an L. 

But Lancaster knows how to quietly sleep, 

And still for the business one ej'e open keep. 

Loughlin's forte is his speech, and he lets not a word, 
When the House he addresses, e'er fail to be heard. 
And when Daniel < )'Conneirs great mantle was dropped 
It wandered about till on Loughlin it stopped. 
The Yankee and Irish in him l)oth do meet, 
To give us an orator strong and complete. 
The two crossed in one a phenomenon are — 
E Plurihus Uiium and Erin go Bragh. 

If any bill has any moukerj^ in it. 

The member from Burlington's surely " agin it." 

And so would be Mason, who's wise as a judge ; 
Who so careful decides, but decided don't budge. 
On some things while cautious, in others he's bold, 
Quite ardent in some, and in others quite cold, 
And oftenest coming out radical when 
You'd have thought him among the conservative men. 

McDaniel of Cambridge is one of the cloth — 
A liberal preacher and practiser both ; 
And because when he speaks he never is dry 
He heads the committee on " water supply." 
He is one of the few with whom 'tis the case 
To hit the right word to fill the right place. 



The Legislature of 1873. 23 

There is one Moore from Coucord, whom uothiug can suit 

So well as to be mulst his corn and his fruit, 

But he came here last winter, and simply because 

He thouglit tliat the farmers deserved some Moore laws. 

On commercial manures he got so much riled 

That the memljer from Lowell he tiercely reviled, 

And wouldn't be pacified till, would you think ! 

He was asked to take something " anhydrous" to drink. 

John A. Nowell you know well you cannot inveigle — 
He looks and he fights like an ancient bald eagle, 
And when he gets warmed up his eloquence seems 
Like that great bird of prey indulging in screams. 
He takes, like a Modoc, a tiendish delight 
In whatever promises something to fight. 
And whether he loses, or whether he wins, 
He is happy to kick or be kicked on the shins. 
And like Paddy at Donuybrook Fair he will dote 
On having- you tread on the tail of his coat. 
But this I will say for i)elligerent John. 
It is usually shams that he warreth upon. 

Dr. Packard, you know, tried so hard to curtail 
The State House Department of General Dale, 
And we had to believe from the warmth of his wrath 
That the path of this war was a Homceopath. 

There is Palmer, another Bostouiau, too. 

So nervous, so sharp, and an orator who 

Can speak out his mind on a theme he believes 

Till you think of a thunder-storm under the eaves : 

And by this I don't mean that Palmer will " spout," 

For you know that he knows what he's talking about, 



24 The Legislature of 1873. 

But simply to say that he's often dramatic, 

And believes tliat it's best to l)e sonictimoi emphatic. 

Tlie junior among us is Wm. C. Parlver, 
Who has proved an adept as a pitliy remarker ; 
And wlio did n't appear to be nmch of a jolver 
When quoting those " extracts" against Dr. Bowker. 

Patch of Boston "gainst jobs is a sturd.v resistant, 
Of the treasury bull-dog he is an assistant, 
While Phillips of Salem affords him relief 
As the Cerberus proper, or bull-dog-in-chief. 
Prom the places they liold tliey're expected to growl, 
But they seldom attaclc unless soraetliing is foul. 
And I'm sure tliey advise us to nothing that's rash 
In whatever concerns the Commonwealth's cash. 

There is Plunkett of Adams, who's grown up so tall, 
In attempts to look over the gi'eat Hoosac wall. 
And though he long since gave up trying to do it. 
He hopes pretty soon he perhaps may see t/n-oni/h it. 
He does n't believe it exists in the powers 
Of men to succeed when they Avork but ten hours. 

I suspect that the reason why cider was left 
To be sold, that the farmers might not be bereft 
Of the profits of apples and orchards, indeed. 
Was because of the influence of J. Henry Read. 
The member from Westford can give you a glass 
That even Pitzgerald would say is first class. 

There is Salmon of Boston, an odd sort of fish, 
Who lets us be absent whenever we wish. 



The Legislatukk of 1873. 25 



Aud two Sangers wc havL' — the lirst one, George J., 

A clergyman not with a clerical way, 

Who sometimes, indeed, has most soberly spoke, 

But who has a keen humor, and loves a good joke. 

And as for the Judge, in physique and in brain. 

He's a model of whom we're inclined to be vain. 

And especially since I am able to state 

That he's fully as good as we know he is great. 

Sargent keeps a sliarp eye upon what's going on. 

And though sober himself don't object to see fun. 

He's an honest, a useful, a wise legislator, 

A parliamentarian, and ready debater. 

But of all of his speeches that one was most nobby 

In which he so scarifled one of the lobby. 

There's Sawtelle of New Bedford, who always votes •• no 
Upon every question where money's to go. 

And Blackstoue sends Scott with a heart like an ox. 
Who gave the ten-hour bill sundry lianl knocks. 

There is Sears from the Cape v>\\o began his career 
With a joke on the time for prohibiting beer. 
Aud the House always likes to see him arise. 
For he's petulant, jolly, and witty and wise. 
No wonder a man with so taking a way 
Should have put in a bill for an increase of pay. 

Eobert Seaver — " Old Seaver " he likes to be called — 
For his good-natured way can't be too nuicli extolled : 
May he live long and prosper, and never be vexed 
By learning that West Roxbnry won't be annexed. 

And may Shatttick of Boston continue to be a 
Defender of homcp'path i)harmacopeia. 



26 The Legislature of 1873. 



Two Smiths, and two ouly, are fouud on our list — 

The first is from Boston, and lieeps very whist. 

The other is linowa from tlie mountains to sea 

As tlie popular caterer, Joshua B. 

He is boundless in resources, whether you seek 

Him to get up a dinner, or get up to speak ; 

When he gave up his seat to a lady one day 

He started a gallant and pleasanter way. 

And that true equal rights are no longer a myth 

On this floor, why the ladies must thank Mr. S.nith. 

Then he fought for Charles Sumner, his personal friend, 

In a way that all true men could not but commend. 

And he made a most eloquent speech here one day, 

By placing before us that splendid bouquet. 

This House is immortal, for here on the roll 
I find it possesses an immortal Soule. 
As a lawyer he stands in the very first rank ; 
As a man he's agreeable, genial and frank ; 
As a speaker his logic is close and compact, 
And is strong in the law as it is in the fact. 

Splaine of Boston is modest — 'tis almost in vain 
That you ask him for aught that he rise and ex-Splaine. 
His reluctance to do so the greater surprises, 
He does it so ably whenever he rises. 

And what shall I say of our venerable Mentor, 
Our Stedman, of Boston, with lungs like a stentor, 
With which, when he likes, in a quarter 'f an hour 
A I'aft of opponents can so overpower. 
He is one of those men — and I speak in his praise — 
Who can make little argument go a great ways ; 
And when he's contending against moral wrong, 
He is worth a battalion of flfty men strong. 



The Legislature ov 1873. 27 

The House has two liarcl chaps, their names are well known, 
You'll all understand when I say they're ealled Stone. 
The first, Thomas N., is surely a treasure — 
A Stone in the House is a Wellflect of pleasure. 
The Doctor's philosopher, statesman and poet. 
It always is pleasant to get him to show it. 

The other is famous, because in the fight 

On surtrage for woman he fought for the right — 

The right they demanded, for that's what I mean — 

On the question in abstract some difference is seen. 

But Stone, of West Brookfleld, nuisttake that side, you see 

Because he's a brother of eloquent Lucy. 

Of the T's there is Titus of Worcester, he 

Is a young man of promise, as all of us see ; 

And can say what he thinks In a clear-headed way. 

Though we cannot all think as he happens to say. 

A " sKrplusagr of tyranny" — that's what he fights; 

He's willing that Tyranny capture Sdvitt' rights. 

Well, we all can't agree, however we try, 

But perhaps we all shall " in the sweet by and by." 

And now I have come to the last letter — W, 

And my tiresome i-hyme will but little more trouble you. 

There is Wallace of Fitchburg so quiet and still ; 

And Waters of Webster " engrossed" in a bill; 

And Watson of Lowell with courage too sinking 

To speak, but he " keeps up a deal of a thinking." 

There's Wellington, too, a most capital man, 

W^ho believed so profoundly the state railroad plan. 

And two Whites on the list our divisions possess, 
The talking one's name is pronounced Tisdale S. 



28 The Legislature of 1873. 



He's at hoiiK' on all (|iiesfions, and .sticks like grim Death, 
And can talk fall two minutes witliDUt taking breatli. 

And there's Captain Whitfield of Fairhaveu, too, 
Who tells what committees on flsheries do, 
But we are no wiser way back in the rear, 
Because he '11 address no one else but the Chair. 



Thei'e is Whitman, who much to the memT)er8' surjirise 
On a judicial topic adventured to rise ; 
But the legal committee soon found that he knew 
What law in, and just what it ought to be, too. 



There's Wilson, who knows all al)out Boston grades. 
And who fights sharp whenever a swindle invades. 

And then there is Winslow — but caution, my pen ! 
'T is n't easy to say what you think of some men. 
Sometimes he appears like the sort of a parson 
Who perhaps might be guilty of murder or arson. 
But anon he a lamb-like and mild way discloses, 
A meekness that might have done credit to Moses. 
But when he is fighting what he tliinks are wrongs, 
'T is tlie militant churcli to which he belongs, 
And he brandishes, right in his enemy's view, 
" The sword of the Lord and of Gideon," too. 
He takes every bull so direct by the horns 
That he's terribly apt to hurt somebody's corns. 

And now at the end we have come to the Woods, 
Not the worst of the bads nor the best of the goods. 
But when his name's called we all feel a relief. 
Though it may show a victory, or bring us to grief. 



TlIK LKGISLATrRK OT 1878. 29 

TIkto tirv SOUR' here, I know, whose names I've iiol called. 

.Viul if time would permit I'd have them overhauled. 

But I think I have shown from the ttrst to the last. 

That these resolutions ouyht now to be passed. 

And reviewinii' the scenes we liave all just gone throuiih. 

And reealliuii' the work of live mouths to our view. 

Let us bury all feuds, and our mera'ries combine. 

Like the dial, to " mark only hours that shine." 

And belie^•e of each other that best as we knew 

We have tried each our duty in conscience to do; 

We have (littered as all men must ditler, of cotirse, 

And let us be thankful we differed no worse, 

And wish to each other a hearty God .speed ! 

As we part — and it is a sad parting indeed. 

For a fragrant remembrance it ever will be 

That we were all nn'mbers in Seventv-Three. 



The following supplementary lines were written and 
read by W. H. Loughlin, of Lowell, and are printed by re- 
(luest : 

Though cheerful is our parting hour, 

Should we forget the man, 
Whose pointed thrusts and sweetest verse 

In rousing accents ran? 

And brightest flame to highest thought 

Of what we did and knew, 
Was fanned, by Harden, in his verse^ 

It seemed as though it grew. 



30 The Legislatuke of 1873. 



But Harden is a pleasaut soul, 
• He stirs all things about, 
From " fertilizers "' down to " Hash," 
Aud " laj'iug railroads out." 

The " Tunnel " bears no dread for him — 

As agile as a fly 
He rushes thi'ough that dismal "bore. " 

To hear the Shanleys cry 

" More aid, to help us through the job !" 

Aud Harden pricks his ears, 
'Tis not the "meal" he dreads, oh. no. 

But 'tis the " cat" he fears. 

Of rum, and gin, and things so small, 

Our Harden has a dread; 
But " cider clause," somehow won't hold 

A niche in Harden's head. 

And when " State Cops " don't please hiui well 

He's bound to make them feel. 
That he can curb their temper down 

I^pon an Emery wheel. 

But God bless Harden, say we all. 

He is a wit, we know ; 
And he who frowns at Harden's verse 

Can't stand much of a show. 

And if next year he is returned 

— We wish that he may be — 
And If he is we only ask 

That we be there to see. 



J 



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